Course ID | Course Name | Instructor | Room Number | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plt | Politics | Mr C. Sullivan | Norris Building |
Is this the right course for me?
Citizenship education is about enabling our pupils to make their own decisions and to take responsibility for their own lives and their communities.
That means we want young people leaving education with an understanding of the political, legal and economic functions of adult society; and with the social and moral awareness to thrive in it.
Citizenship education involves a wide range of different elements of learning, including:
•Knowledge and understanding: About topics such as: laws and rules, the democratic process, the media, human rights, diversity, money and the economy, sustainable development and world as a global community; and about concepts such as democracy, justice, equality, freedom, authority and the rule of law;
•Skills and aptitudes: Critical thinking, analysing information, expressing opinions, taking part in discussions and debates, negotiating, conflict resolution and participating in community action;
•Values and dispositions: Respect for justice, democracy and the rule of law, openness, tolerance, courage to defend a point of view and a willingness to: listen to, work with and stand up for others.
In short, our students will learn to understand different institutions and concepts as well as sharing their own thoughts and ideas in a respectful and confident way.
Civics
Civics consists of three subject areas:
1. Personal Social Health education (PSHE)
2. Religious Education (RE)
3. Citizenship ((Local and National government/issues)
It is delivered in years 7 & 8 to all form groups by a small, dedicated team of teachers. Years 8 & 9 are provided further opportunities for PSHE and citizenship study during assemblies, extra-curricular events, drop-down sessions and tutorials.
Students in years 7 & 8 are provided with an introduction to the ideas and concepts of politics and government that underpin the world we live in during the third term of their civics programme (having studied PSHE & RE -respectively -during the first and second terms of the school year).
Pupils discover the history, structure and functions of local, national and supra-national government of Britain and Europe.
We introduce and examine the legal system of the UK.
Civics
Civics consists of three subject areas:
1. Personal Social Health education (PSHE)
2. Religious Education (RE)
3. Citizenship ((Local and National government/issues)
Years 8 & 9 are provided further opportunities for PSHE and citizenship study during assemblies, extra-curricular events, drop-down sessions and tutorials.
Students have the opportunity to discuss and explore specific issues and developments through our SMSC programme of form-time presentations and discussions. These include an introduction to British values, key events including Remembrance Day.
A new level Government & Politics is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course. It is delivered to students in the 6th form at Sydney Russell by a team of two teachers.
There are three broad areas of study in this specification:
Unit 1, the government and politics of the UK
Unit 2, the government and politics of the USA, and comparative politics
Unit 3, political ideas
Year 12
Students have the opportunity to follow the new AQA A-level Politics syllabus (7152) in years 12 & 13.
Year 12 covers units 1 of the course based on a detailed case study of the political system operating in the UK followed by a study of the various institutions that comprise the UK system of government. We also begin our study of the US system of politics and institutions of government making comparisons and contrasts at the end of this unit.
Year 13
In year 13 the course completes the US/UK politics study & comparison for unit 2. We then undertake our study of unit 3 based on the detailed examination of political ideas and thinkers. Five key thinkers from the three traditional ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism are compared and contrasted along with five from feminism. All three courses are tested by two-hour exam papers that cover each unit of study. They comprise a mixture of medium length ‘explain’ and essay style questions.
Assessment
Students are assessed by a two-hour exam for each area of study at the end of the course (three exams in total). Each paper is worth a third of the total marks. There is no coursework element in this specification.
Politics Key Stage 5 Specification – VIEW HERE
Politics Course Guide – VIEW HERE
We undertake a visit to Parliament (where we have a guided tour & workshop) & Whitehall as well as the UK Supreme Court. We have had visits from a UK peer as well as attending politics conferences/debates.
For US politics we attend an ECCLES conference at the British Library to meet US Congressmen and listen to leading experts on different aspects of contemporary US politics.
Up to date texts, resources as well as videos, films and news articles are used to illustrate and support the delivery of our course.
Regular home works are set as well as well as tests and informed debates to embed student learning.
How to support your child
Key Stage 3 and 4
As a parent you are the child`s most important teacher. Teach your child to be tolerant towards people of different races, faiths and outlook. Encourage your child to be engaged with current affairs and events by watching parts of the news or reading a newspaper. Use the planner to check homework deadlines.
Encourage your child to discuss with you and their views about the topics and issues they are studying.
Key Stage 5
As a parent you can still support the work of your son or daughter at ‘A’ level. You can encourage your child to be aware of political issues and developments in UK politics. Encourage your child to be engaged with current affairs and events by watching parts of the news or reading a newspaper. Be prepared to examine and discuss the work and issues that encourage your child to discuss with you and their views about the topics and issues they are studying.
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